Childline Volunteers Will Answer Over 1,100 Calls On Christmas Day

Last Christmas day, Childline received 1,176 calls from children in distress. Children scared, neglected, sad, or lonely. Christmas day is just another day for so many children all over Ireland, which is why we’re here for children all day, every day.

Every year, the incredible Childline volunteers give up their Christmas. They sacrifice their time with loved ones, so that they can be there for so many children who need our help. Letting a child know that there is somebody who wants to listen, someone who cares, can make all the difference.

Baubles for Christmas to support Childline

Children call Childline for a number of reasons on Christmas Day. Some are lonely and just need someone who will listen to them, children like Anna* who woke up on Christmas Day to find there were no presents under the tree. Anna knows her mum and dad would have liked her to have a nice Christmas. But today she is afraid of what will happen when they wake up. Will dad be angry if she gets in his way again? Will mum be crying? Will there be dinner? Maybe Santa will still come.

Childline, and these children, need your help to continue answering calls like those from Anna.

This year, the ISPCC has a number of different ways you can support and donate to our services. We will have our Holly Pins on sale across the country, while our Christmas baubles, launched by Laura Woods, are the perfect way to donate to the ISPCC in lieu of gifts. Our colourful festive baubles are available in denominations of €10, €20 or €50 and will be posted directly to you. The online shop will also have Christmas cards and Santa letters available.

For a small amount, you can make sure that we are there to answer every call on Christmas Day – and every day. You can find more details for the ISPCC shop here at https://www.ispcc.ie/files/Christmas-Shop/. You can also donate by logging on to ispcc.ie/donate. Your donation will be part of every call and text we answer.

Childline volunteer, Jenny Nolan, said: “My memories of Christmas as a child have always been of family, happiness and joy. It is very hard to leave my own family on Christmas Day while they are all enjoying games, fun and laughter. But when I think that I may be one of the only listening ears for a child in need, I feel privileged to be a part of that child’s Christmas – a child who may not share in the happiness and joy that I go home to after my shift.”

ISPCC Chief Executive, Grainia Long, stated: “Christmas should mean safety, warmth and happiness, but for many children that call our Childline service, this isn’t the reality. Our Childline volunteers won’t be home at Christmas, they will be in our Childline units, all around the country, taking calls from over 1,100 distressed children who need someone to talk to. The ISPCC is calling on the public to support our Christmas shop and help volunteers continue to have conversations with children, not just on Christmas Day but 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

“Never give up on a child. Ever. You can help us try keep that promise.”